Your PC Specifications

Oculus Rift and Valve Index can run on two possible specifications. There’s the “Suggested” one and there’s the Minimum one which still lets you run the games but not at its most optimal.

Here are the minimum requirements for Valve Index:

• 8GB RAM Memory
• Windows 10 Operating System or SteamOS or Linux
• Dual Core Processor with Hyper Threading
• NVIDIA GeForce GTC 970 / AMD RX480 Graphics Card
• USB 2.0 port or higher
• Available DisplayPort Version 1.2

Here’s the minimum requirements for Oculus Rift S:

• Windows 10 Operating System
• NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti / AMD Radeon RX 470 Graphics Card
• Intel i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200, FX4350 CPU
• 8GB+ RAM Memory
• Video Output of DisplayPortTM 1.2 / Mini DisplayPort
• One USB 3.0 port

On Pricing

Price-wise, Oculus Rift S is obviously the cheaper model by a substantial amount. The Valve Index on the other hand is priced fairly steeply, making it the typical choice of hard-core gamers.

Room Tracking Ability

VR is nothing without room tracking. It’s basically the technology that lets you immerse yourself in the rendered images. Back in the day, Valve used two base stations to track exact locations in a room. With the Valve Index however, there are now four base stations, which expands the range of movement by up to 10 square meters. If you own a Vive and want to upgrade to a Valve Index, you can just use the base stations that came with the Vive because the Valve Index only comes with two in the box. Note though that base stations take time to setup and since you now have four, that’s also four times the bother to get them synced with the headset.

What about Oculus Rift S? This new unit boasts of the Insight System which is a brand-new feature that relies on cameras. No need to set up base stations here as the cameras are connected to the headsets themselves and provide the needed location tracking as you move with the unit. There’s a total of five of them in there and with no base stations, there’s no need for additional USB ports. The headset itself is obviously connected with the PC, but you’ll have several ports free for other uses.

So yes, when it comes to ease of use and room tracking, the Oculus Rift S wins this round.

Screen Resolution and View

The Valve Index has a screen resolution of 1440 by 1600 pixel with a 120Hz refresh rate. This translates to smooth images and a transition that has zero blurry frames. Even if your PC has the absolute minimum requirements for using the Valve Index – you should still be able to experience the full potential of this VR headset.

By extension, you also have to look into the field of view of the headset with the Valve covering up to 130 degrees at its maximum.

In contrast, the Rift currently has a resolution of 1280 by 1440 pixel with a refresh rate of 80Hz. If we’re just looking at the numbers, there’s already a clear winner here as the Valve is obviously significantly better when it comes to image rendering. One more thing to note is that at 80Hz, there’s going to be some flickering on the screen which can cause some nausea or motion sickness if you’re particularly sensitive.

Remote Controls

Design-wise, the controls for the Valve has a very edgy and futuristic look. They’re not the kind you hold in your hand but something you strap onto the wrist, giving you much better control and preventing the chances of dropping it mid-game. That’s definitely a plus considering how many controllers have been damaged in that way.

The Valve controllers are wonderfully sensitive, capable of recognizing even the individual movements of your fingers. There’s a heavy reliance on ergonomics in this design so that using the controls feel perfectly natural.

In contrast, the Oculus Rift S uses the same controllers as the older versions of the brand. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as the original controller is a classic and not much improvement needs to be made on it. As the gold standard, the Oculus Rift S controller works well with many games.

Overall Model Design

While specifications and controls play a big role in your choice of VR headset, we can’t ignore the fact that the aesthetics of it can also influence how we choose a product.

In terms of design, Valve Index has a chunky look and quite heavy – both on the eyes and on the head. It has multiple dials and sliders attached on it, not to mention the added padding to bolster the comfort of the wearer. It’s heavy, solid, and built to grab the attention when worn.

By contrast, the Oculus Rift S is chunkier, but in a messy way. Veering away from the typical head strap design, this latest offering decided to use a halo as the main attachment for the glasses, creating two bulky hardware that’s attached to each other. It would take some getting used to before you can love this Oculus Rift S design. On the plus side, the crown-like design helps relieve pressure on the back of the head when the device is used for long periods of time.

Audio

Both models come with speakers already integrated with the headset. The difference is when it comes to audio extension which is only available for the Oculus. The headset comes with your typical 3.5mm jack for headphones, letting you attach your own set and concentrate the sounds to your ears. The unique halo design of the Oculus Rift makes this possible without messing up the attachment of the headset.

The Valve on the other hand eases the pressure by positioning the speakers slightly farther away from the ears. This should prevent any earache that often results from long-periods of wearing the headset. Audio can be adjusted if you find the music too loud.

Connections

Both Valve and Oculus use a USB connection to run the VR headsets. This is not surprising since it is now the more common connectivity option to improve power distribution to and from the PC. As already mentioned though, there’s a marked difference between Oculus Rift S and Valve Index when it comes to the number of USB ports used. With a Valve, you may need a minimum of five USB ports, depending on how many base stations you’ll be setting up.

The Oculus Rift S won’t exhaust your USB ports. Since it uses the proprietary Insight feature, there’s only one USB port you’ll be using, allowing for cleaner lines and an easier pack up once you’re done playing with your VR headset.

Comfort of Use

Given the length of time you probably spend gaming, the level of comfort offered by the headset is a crucial factor. Taking a look at Valve, you can already tell that it’s built for hours of use. There’s ample padding in there and a headband that lets you adjust the fit perfectly. Even the headset is slightly farther from the ears to prevent any pain resulting from long periods of crushing the cartilage.

What’s pretty obvious about the Valve is that it was built to accommodate as many gamers as possible. There are multiple features for adjustment in the unit including the distance of the lens. All these add-ons come at a price though as the headset adds up to 1.78 pounds. In comparison, the Oculus once comes up to 1.2 pounds.

In terms of comfort, the Oculus seems to have won the contest with its innovative design. Instead of your typical strap, it’s attached to a ring that’s placed on top of the head with a back wheel to tighten it for a reliable fit.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, both Oculus Rift S and Valve Index have their own pros and cons. The decision really depends on what you want and what you can have based on the setup you have now. Your choice will be limited by three things: (1) your budget, (2) your PC software, and (3) your connectivity options. If you’re looking for a low-budget VR headset, the Oculus Rift is the better choice. It’s also the better option for beginners who want to get started with VR gaming but don’t want to go all out until they learn what they like. However, if you’re looking for a truly immersive experience and you have the budget and the PC for it – you can always go with the Valve Index. 

Best Overall: XBox VR

Release Due- Autumn 2020

Microsoft has been collaborating with Valve and HP to bring you the ultimate VR experience shortly. While Microsoft has historically not dedicated much of its time to developing VR, they’ve seen a recent uptick in competition with Sony.

The latter has already put themselves ahead of the game with their PSVR. Valve is a valuable ally in VR development, though, as their game Half-Life: Alyx broke ground with its revolutionary incorporation of VR technology. Like Sony, though, Microsoft has not made any formal announcements regarding the release of its pioneering VR headset, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the exciting features it could potentially have.

So, what’s in store for the Xbox Series X VR headset?

For starters, HP claims this headset will provide “a more immersive, comfortable, and compatible experience than the previous generation,” and vows to set a new standard of VR technology.

While no official specs have been released yet, fans speculate that it could be very close to HP’s successful Reverb headset, which boasts 2160x2160 resolution per eye. That’s an essential element upon which to build the next incarnation of their VR headsets.

However, some gamers think that the next generation of the Reverb will be more geared toward professional players than enthusiasts. Why? Their best-selling headset to date, the Index, is not only priced for pro gamers but includes state-of-the-art motion tracking technology, near-ear sound technology, and impressive visual experience with up to 50% higher LCD subpixels.

If the Index is any indicator of what this new Xbox VR headset will be like, it will likely be a groundbreaking innovation in both gaming and VR technology. If you’re chomping at the bit for more information, you can sign up for updates about this upcoming VR headset on HP’s website.

Still High Value Lookout: Valve Index

Taking out the top spot with a wide field of view and hyper-crisp display.

So check it out, we did. The headset, from a design point of view, is easy to wear and well designed. Set up was simple and straight forward, and we had to give props to the intuitive controls and responsive tracking of the PlayStation VR. Publisher support was solid, too.

The refresh rate on the PS headset was only slightly lower than our overall winner—the Valve Index—at 120-hertz, although we lose some lens resolution when we compare the PS offering to those of Ocular.

Affordability shines where resolution drops the PS VR down in the rankings. You can get a PS4 console and this high-end headset for less than the price of our overall winner. The headset also lets you switch to a Cinematic mode, if you’re done with gaming (hush your mouth) and ready to put in some theater time.

Overall, the PlayStation VR is a worthy opponent for our other Best in Category VR headsets, and one of the most affordable on our list. I mean, except for the next one.

Pros

• Stylish, sleek headset
• Stellar library from a reputable brand
• Easy setup
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Some visual bleed
• Requires a lot of peripherals for an immersive experience

Best on a Budget: Oculus Go (Released)

The most bang for your buck without sacrificing performance.

We’re just going to say it: the Oculus Go is under-priced. Get it now, before Oculus realizes this, and the Go gets pushed into the obscurity of pretty good performance at a high-end price tag.

Released in Spring 2019 and  priced around $399.

The Oculus Rift S is the next generation PC VR headset following the Oculus Rift. Those who wondered when Oculus’ next high-end headset would be released can stop holding their breath. What users with compatible laptops or computers will get are a VR headset that’s optimal for gaming, live streaming, and higher quality experiences overall. 

Gone are the days of extra USB adapters and wires for sensors, the Oculus Rift S has inside-out tracking. It’s five sensors will track body movements and Touch Controllers throughout a play space. No more being locked into forward facing games and experiences unless that’s what they’re designed for. It will also have Passthrough+ to see what’s going on outside the headset.

The 1280 x 1440 LCD display resolution per eye is a bit lower quality than the Oculus Quest, but at least there’ll be more games. Gamers and those just starting VR gaming will have titles like Asgard’s Wrath and Stormland to look forward to. Oculus took note of users desires for an easier to put on halo headset design and fit wheel with better cushioning for the face. 

Pros

• Light (< 1 lb.) headset
• Room-tracking
• Strong library of games
• Intuitive interface
• Touch Controllers
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Requires a PC
• Very similar to the Rift

VIVE Focus Plus (Released)

Released on April 15th at $799.

The VIVE Focus Plus is a standalone VR headset pivoted towards business and professional use. Its wireless design makes it portable so users can move from office to board room or expo floor when needed. It has inside out tracking with 6DoF movement so digital illustrations, plans, and designs capture diverse movements and in detail.

The pair of VIVE Focus Plus controllers match the headset with six-degrees of freedom to click, swipe, use virtual tools and play games with it. The controllers have a trackpad, trigger buttons, grip buttons, and buttons for menu and VIVE selections. Kiosk Mode, Gaze Support, and multiple headset monitoring make it a headset that’s suited for team use or group gameplay. 

It comes with a 2880x1600 and AMOLED display, which is excellent for seeing virtual worlds in 360. Interacting with training simulations will be as close to real as it can get. The Focus Plus also makes creating or playing new games and experiences from the VIVE WAVE Platform higher in visual quality than most mobile headsets.

1. Augmented Empire

This is a game that may be well-known in certain circles, but not in the VR community as a whole. This is because it’s mostly associated with the Samsung Gear VR, and is a product of the established developer Coatskink. Indeed, reviews have specifically noted that Augmented Empire contributes to Coatsink continuing to be a premium supplier of content specifically for the Samsung Gear VR. Augmented Empire is a story-based RPG in a beautiful neo-noir setting, and a game that makes very creative use of the technology. You view the action from above such that it mimics a sort of tabletop hologram, even as you control characters involved in the story. The game itself is nothing wildly unique, but in this case it’s the concept and execution that stand out. It’s simply a wonderful early example of what VR can be.

2. Gorn

Gorn is a game you really can’t take too seriously. It’s somewhat cartoonish, despite the fact that it revolves around violent and thoroughly bloody gladiator combat. Really, it’s a tongue-in-cheek melee game that allows you to use various weapons to defeat opponents in a simple but surprisingly immersive arena setting. That’s more or less all there is to it, though it should be noted that it can be unexpectedly challenging at times, and that the mechanics of battle in Gorn take some getting used to. It is not a perfect game, but it’s a highly enjoyable one in a category - hack-and-slash/melee games - that’s been almost mysteriously devoid of hits in VR.

3. Wands

Wands feels like what you might have come up with if someone sat you down and told you about VR for the first time, and then asked you to invent a game. More to the point, it’s a game of dueling wizards, and one so beautifully and imaginatively rendered it looks as if it must have come from some specific book, film, or other source material, though it didn’t actually. Wands is not an all-out brawler, but rather a game of one-on-one wizard battles taking place in a variety of arenas. Spellcasting takes some experience, as it works in various ways within the game, but once you figure out what you’re doing you feel like a powerful magical being, set with the simple but vital task of destroying an opponent before he destroys you.

4. Gonzo’s Quest

Somewhat like Augmented Empire, Gonzo’s Quest may be well-known to some but entirely foreign to others. This is because its original home was among the internet’s countless digital slot machine games. Arcade sites in Britain and New Zealand offer it to be played for free, which does make it more accessible than some of its casino gaming brethren, but odds are you’re still unfamiliar with it if you’re not a regular casino gamer. In any case, the game is somewhat peculiar for its genre, built around an explorer protagonist on a quest through ancient Peru in search of El Dorado. This quest is essentially pushed along via the slot play, and the same experience now exists in VR. It’s a bit unusual but it’s effective, and proves that environmental immersion can enhance just about any kind of game.

5. Robo Recall

Robo Recall is a project from the vaunted developers at Epic Games, and it lives up to their reputation for quality. This is one of the first shooter games for VR that really worked, and presented something that was specifically better for being in VR (as opposed to just tolerable in it). Developed with Unreal Engine and released as a free download for Oculus Rift, it’s a game set in a sort of I, Robot scenario, with players taking on the role of a man in charge of taking defective service robots out of commission in a near future world. That of course means shooting them down and otherwise dismantling them, which is done via an arsenal of four weapons and a clever, teleportation-based movement method. It isn’t the most extensive game, but it’s a fun one, and we may one day look back at it as a foundational VR shooter.